Arizona Cardinals: Pre-Week 1 Power Rankings

13. team. 124. Alex Smith is a capable, if reserved QB on a team that did not have a TD by a wide receiver until the last game of the season. The Chiefs have a great defense, capable offensive weapons and a great coach, that’s enough to push an aging Denver team in the west.. (0-0). Previous: N/Ath. Kansas City Chiefs

(0-0). Previous: N/Ath. Baltimore Ravens. 12. team. 26. Joe Flacco gives you a high level, percentages quarter back, a decent run game, decent receivers, and all around decent team with a great coach gives you a hard effort week-in-week-out and that’s enough for the pounding AFC North.

Miami Dolphins. 11. team. 59. With a bulked up defense, capable quarterback, good offensive weapons, Miami is a team poised to take the next step, but its on them to slip into .500 football or rise above into something better. There’s high hopes in southern Florida, can the team build on that?. (0-0). Previous: N/Ath

Detroit Lions. 10. team. 50. Matthew Stafford is a great QB, in the same gunslinger mold as a certain, former Packers QB, but he has excellent weapons in Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate and you can’t double cover both of them. With the higher-ranked Packers still a question with the loss of Jordy Nelson, can Detroit take back the division?. (0-0). Previous: N/Ath

Pittsburgh Steelers. 9. team. 55. Playmakers all over the roster, even with some suspensions thrown into the mix, the capable Big Ben will power the Steelers towards the top of the division. THe Steelers scored the most points in the division last year, but also gave up the most as well. The offense can play, but can the defense get off the field?. (0-0). Previous: N/Ath

56. The third place team from a year ago is actually the highest ranked on on this list? The Bengals have been consistent, in more ways than one, great playmakers on offense, a capable defense, and the inability to get out of the first round of the playoffs under Andy Dalton (or anyone for that matter) all plays into a strong push by the team to overcome, if not, the overreacting may begin before November even starts.. (0-0). Previous: N/Ath. Cincinnati Bengals. 8. team

Previous: N/Ath. Denver Broncos. 7. team. 45. The beginning of the season will prove a lot of things for Denver and change how the division will play out. Was Manning’s decline near the end of last season fatigue, injury or just age. Julius Thomas’ departure as a go-to TE has to hurt the team, and a new coach and offensive system will provide insight into how the team performs.. (0-0)